Re: Islamic circumcision

Hello Cal, you wrote :

> On a more circuitous (or is it circumferential) note, what does the
> Quran say about circumcision?  

NOTHING. Circumcision is mandatory for Muslims based on tradition, but
it is not mentioned in the Qur'an itself.

>A black Muslim friend just told me that
> circumcision was foisted upon Palestinians and other Muslims by the Jews
> and is not something mandated by Muhammad. Is that true?  

It was also tribal custom as girls' sexual mutilations. The
circumcision was ordored to Abraham and the Koran 16/123 states that
muslim must obey the Abraham's religion. The circumcision is a duty in
the Sunnah (i.e., one following the practice of the Prophet and his
companions) for all muslim men before puberty

http://answering-islam.org.uk/Index/C/circumcision.html

> Is there
> anything stated in the Faith about circumcision?  All I can find is it
> was done by the Shiahs, so can we assume the Bab and Baha'u'llah were
> circumcised and Baha'u'lah had His living sons undergo the religious
> ritual?  --Cal

"Also with regard to the practice of circumcision; the Teachings bear
no reference to this matter, and it is therefore not enjoined upon the
believers." In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 14
December 1940 to the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma)

"The beloved Guardian says that the question of circumcision has
nothing to do with the Bahá'í Teachings; and the believers are free to
do as they please in the matter."(In a letter written on behalf of
Shoghi Effendi, 27 March 1954 to an individual believer)

In the baha'i faith actually, circumcison is forbidden for women and
not forbiden for male